Multicentric Study of Urban Air Quality in Vojvodina (Serbia) and Assessment of Associated Carcinogenic Risk

Ambient air pollution in urban areas represents one of prime concerns regarding adverse health effects. The aim of this study was to assess air quality as well as carcinogenic risk due to inhalation exposure to lead, cadmium, nickel, arsenic and benzo(a)pyrene bound to PM10 in ambient air of four major cities in Province of Vojvodina, Republic of Serbia. The data applied were obtained by official air quality monitoring and include data from 2021 and 2022. Fixed measurements were conducted at the locations classified as urban traffic (Novi Sad and Zrenjanin), and urban background (Kikinda and Sombor) in accordance with Directive 2008/50/EC (European Commision, 2008). Obtained results showed that mean annual levels of PM10 were slightly higher on urban traffic (Novi Sad/Zrenjanin 30/39 μg/m³ in 2021, and 36/38 μg/m³ in 2022) compared to urban background locations (Kikinda/Sombor 30/27 μg/m³ in 2021, and 31/23 μg/m³ in 2022), but all remained under the limit value. Oppositely, daily PM10 limit value was exceeded more frequently than allowed, i.e., in 37, 65 and 37 days in Novi Sad, Zrenjanin and Kikinda, respectively, in 2021, and in 2022 in 49 and 54 days in Novi Sad and Zrenjanin, respectively. Mean annual levels of measured toxic metals did not exceed the limit value in any of the cities, whereas in case of benzo(a)pyrene the annual target value was surpassed in 2021 in all cities (max annual mean 2.4 ng/m³ in Sombor), and in 2022 only in Sombor (1.1 ng/m³). Although below the target value, the annual levels of benzo(a)pyrene on other locations in 2022, ranging from 0.9-1.0 ng/m³, should be consider as a warning. The obtained results were exploited for inhalation health risk assessment. The carcinogenic risk assessment carried out according to OEHHA (OEHHA, 2015) guidance, considered differences of daily breathing rate, body weight, age sensitivity and exposure duration. At all cities, increased carcinogenic risk (ICR) for children (<16 years) related to lead exposure was lower than 1x10⁻⁶, the level considered as the limit of acceptability according to US EPA guidelines (USEPA, 2005), while ICR related to cadmium, nickel, arsenic and benzo(a)pyrene exposure was higher than 1x10⁻⁶. For adults (16-70 years) exposed to arsenic and benzo(a)pyrene, ICR was between 1x10⁻⁶ and 1x10⁻⁴, till ICR derived from exposure to other toxic metals was below the acceptable level. The highest carcinogenic risk in all age groups was attributed to arsenic (children, up to 1x10⁻⁵; adults, up to 4.9x10⁻⁶) in each measuring site. Such results should prompt undertaking of appropriate management measures.